Medicina clinica
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Pharmacological inhibition of the kinase activity of JAK proteins can interfere with the signaling of immunomodulatory cytokines and block the constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway that characterizes certain malignancies, including chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. JAK inhibitors may, therefore, be useful to treat malignancies as well as inflammatory or immune disorders. Currently, the most significant advances have been made in the treatment of myelofibrosis, where these drugs may lead to a remarkable improvement in the control of hyperproliferative manifestations. ⋯ In general, JAK2 inhibition induces cytopaenias, with this being considered a class side-effect. By contrast, the extrahaematologic toxicity profile varies significantly among the different JAK inhibitors. At present, there are several clinical trials evaluating the combination of ruxolitinib with other drugs, in order to improve its therapeutic activity as well as reducing haematologic toxicity.
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Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome is an underdiagnosed medical condition which is gainingin importance. It is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, insulin resistance and traffic accidents, resulting in deterioration of quality of life and increased mortality in these patients. The most characteristic symptoms of the disease are snoring, documented apnoeas and excessive daytime sleepiness. ⋯ Besides making lifestyle changes, the treatment of choice is continuous positive airway pressure. Some surgical techniques may be useful in the treatment of sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome. In patients who cannot tolerate continuous positive airway pressure, are not candidates for surgery or have a high surgical risk intraoral devices might be used.